[Benny Hinn]
NBC 5 reported that “a large number of agents” were seen carrying boxes in and out of Hinn’s offices, beginning at about 9 a.m. Reporters from WFAA and Fox 4 also reported seeing federal agents executing a search warrant.
[Twitter post by Lauren Zakalik – journalist with WFAA-TV (ABC)]
ON SCENE ALL DAY AS IRS SPEC AGTS EXECUTE SEARCH WARRANT. SOURCE & DOCUMENTS ID LOCATION AS OFFICE OF TELEVANGELIST BENNY HINN #WFAA
[Twitter post by Dionne Anglin of Dallas FOX 4]
SOURCE: FEDS ABT TO LOAD WHITE BOX TRUCK (BACKED IN) W/ BOXES EVIDENCE. THERE ARE ABOUT 50 AGENTS INSIDE. #BENNYHINN#COMPLEXRAID#GRAPEVINE
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service referred questions to the U.S. attorney’s office for the Northern District of Texas, which was “unable to confirm or deny if there is an investigation,” spokeswoman Lisa Slimak said.
Requests for comment from Hinn’s office have not been answered. According to Hinn’s website, he was in Paris.
Hinn, 64, hosts a daily TV show out of a studio in California, but Benny Hinn Ministries and his World Healing Center Church are based in Grapevine.
Hinn in 2007 was the subject of a Senate Finance Committee investigation led by Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, who raised questions about the use of church-owned airplanes, luxury homes and credit cards by pastors and their families.
The investigation ended in 2011 with no penalties against Hinn or several other high-profile religious leaders.
Hinn said in a statement at the time that the investigation “has caused us to renew our commitment to always honor our partners’ sacrificial giving.”
On thing we have seen over the years is politicians and clergy pick on Hinn, only to be cleared later. So I’ll refrain from judgement until more details come out.
THIS REPORT INCLUDES MATERIAL FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.
Sources: AP/joy105.com
